Marine drive lift mechanism



J. E. URBASSIK MARINE DRIVE LIFT MECHANISM Dec. 12, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 25,

INVENTOR. 1/?

J05PH BASS/K BY 4 2 a /JM L A Trap/v5 r5 Dec. 12, 1967 JQE. URBASSIK MARINE DRIVE LIFT MECHANISM Filed June 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet- 2 United States Patent 3,357,393 MARINE DRIVE LIFT MECHANISM Joseph- E. Urbassik,.Saginaw, Mich., assignorto Eaton Yalej& Towne Inc., a corporationoflOhio Filed June 23, 1965, Se'r. No. 466,223 13 (Ilaims. (Cl. 115-41) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is a tilting or lift mechanism-- for an inboard-outboard type marine drive which provides for shallow water: operation and safe beachingf of the water craft.

The problem I1. any out-board marine drive it'is mandatory'that pro vision be made for thep'ropeller housing to freely tilt up in case it should meet an obstruction, such as an underwater stone or the like. This prevents destruction of the propeller.

Further, it is desirable that the propeller can be tilted up for docking, shallow water trolling, and the like. It

is further desirable that this type of tilt or lift mechanism be foolproof in operation and economical to manufacture and maintain.

A problem which exists'relative to the partial tilting of an outboard propelleris one of excessive thrust load when the propelleris in a partially tilted position. This can provide a commercially successful marine drive tilting device.

Therefore, a substantial advance to'the'art would beprovided by an improved outboard marine drive tilting mechanism embodying novel features of tilting; with safety features inherent in the tilting, along with simplicity of manufacture for long life durability, dependability and adaptability to different installations.

Objects Accordingly, it is an importantobject of this invention to provide a novel outboard marinedrive tilt mechanism.

Afurther object is to provide a novel outboard marine drive tilt mechanism that is operable in any position between two extremes, and under such conditions of operability provides a safety. override preventing damage by unexpectedly high propeller thrust.

A further object is to provide a novel, electricallyco'ntrolled outboard marine tilt mechanism.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended-claims, reference'beinghad to the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

FIGUREI is'a side elevational view, partly in section, of a marine drive tilt-mechanism of the present invention, shown in the environment of a boat transom, with the boat in fragmentary outline, and including: an inboard marine engine;

EIGURE- 2 is a perspective view of the lift cap by which the tilt mechanism of the present invention'is' connected to the outboard power leg;

FIGURE 3 is-aperspective view of the liftcable guide, a); passing the cable through thetransom of the'boat' of QUREJ FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the support plate and drive shaft of the present mechanism;

FIGURBS'is-a sectional view taken along theline 5+5 ofEIGURE, 4; and

FIGURE-6 isanend elevational view taken along the line 6 -6 ofFIGURE 4.

Before explaining the present-invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited inits application to the particular construction and arrangement of parts illustratedin the accompanying drawings, since-the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being-practiced and carried out in various'ways; Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology. or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of-description and not of limitation.

Briefintroductory' synopsis-0 the invention Broadly, the lift-tilt mechanism of the present invention' comprises a tension member attached at one end to an outboard gear housing'or power leg, and at theother end to a draft orpulling mechanism embodying a suitable mechanical ratio mechanism. In the embodiment of the invention shown, an electrically powered pump supplies pressurizedfluid' to a hydraulic cylinder which in turn-is eifective'to activate the mechanical ratio device, shown'as a pulley and shaftarrangement.

It will become obvious that in extendedscope of the invention, other'mechanical ratio devices could be used, such as a worm'gear'op'erably coupled to the pulley-shaft, for applying a suitable tension to the tension member for appropriate lifting'or tilting of the power leg.

A subsidiary aspect of the present invention, in addition to the'si'mplicity of the lifting mechanism, isthe use" of a safety override device, such as a safety relief valve in the hydraulic pump, to permit bottoming-the unit in case of excessive propeller thrust, in order to prevent undue strain from being imposed upon the tensile member, the tilt'mechanism, or upon the propeller.

The novel mechanism of the present invention performs two functions:

(1) The propeller can be completely tilted up for 'beaching or pulling the boat into the'dock where the'water is extremely shallow/This isthe dotted outline position of FIGURE 1-; and

(2) The propeller can be tilted to any intermediate position between-the solid'outline, normal operatingposition, and thedottedoutline position of FIGURE 1. Thus, shallow water trolling is provided by pushing the' lift button for a suitably short interval, andthe propeller will be tilted" up a' verysmall amount. This will reduce the amount of-dr'aft asd'esired-fo'r sh'allow'water operation.

The safetyrelief valve mentioned, isprovided with a setting such that it is overcome when the thrust of the propeller exceeds safe trolling speeds, for example from 1,000 to 1,500 rpm. so that the unit will automatically return to the solid outline, tension member slack posit-ion, to keep from damaging either the tension member or other parts of the mechanism by the excessive propeller thrust.

As the following more detailed description progresses, these various details of construction and operation will be fully developed.

The environment FIGURE 1 provides a typical environmental surrounding for the present invention. This includes a boat hull 10, having a rear, transverse transom member 12. Forwardly of the transom 12, or inboard of the hull 10, is a suitable marine engine exemplified by the reference numeral 14.

At the rear of the engine 14 is a flywheel housing 16,

to which the operating components of the present invention are mounted.

The transom 12 is provided with a lower main opening 18 through which a drive shaft and universal joint mechanism extend, being enclosed in a housing member 20. An appropriate seal plate 22 is provided around the housing 20 and the transom opening 18.

A mounting plate 21 supports the back part of the engine 14 from the transom 12. The engine 14 is thus at least partially mounted to the transom 12. Also, if desired, mounting blocks may be provided within the boat for additional support. The housing 20 thus extends through the transom hole 18. The seal plate 22 prevents entrance of water into the boat 10.

It is to be noted that a horizontal pivot 24 is provided for the power leg 26, to permit tilting between the solid and dotted outline positions as indicated in FIGURE 1. Also, within the housing 20, there is a vertically disposed pivot mechanism to which a subhousing 28 is supported for turning the power leg back and forth at an angle relative to the axis of the boat 10 for steering the boat in a selected direction. A universal joint mechanism for the drive shaft of the marine engine 14 is contained therefore within the housings 20 and 28. This permits power to be transmitted from the engine 14 to the propeller 30 under any condition of tilt or orientation of the propeller.

A steering mechanism, forming the subject of a copending application is also contained within the housings 20 and 28 and this too is of universal joint-type construction to permit steering and tilting of the propeller.

The power leg 26 includes a horizontally disposed shaft at the top, which is connected to the universal joint at the rear end of the drive shaft from the engine 14. Also, the power leg, though not shown, includes a vertically extending shaft, connected by a right angle drive at the top to the horizontal shaftg and this is connectedby right angle drive gearing at the bottom to a shaft upon which the propeller 30 is supported. Thus, an operable power train is provided between the engine 14 and the propeller 30 for driving the boat 10 in a selected direction.

A trim pin 32 is provided at the bottom of housing 20 and is engaged by a stop mechanism 34, carried by the power leg 26, for fine adjustment of the normal operating position of the, power leg.

The invention As mentioned before, the operating mechanism of the present invention is attached to and supported by the flywheel housing 16, in turn mounted to the back of the engine 14. Between the operating mechanism and the power leg 26, there is a cable connection 44 to tilt the power leg as desired. The cable 44, as will be brought out hereinafter, extends through the transom 12 of the boat 19 above the housing 20.

At this point, it is believed pertinent to point out, from FIGURE 1, the general orientation of the cable 44 and the manner in which it extends from the power leg 26 through the transom 12 to be connected to the power tilt mechanism.

The lift cap As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, a lift cap 36 is suitably secured to the top of power leg 26, as by bolts. The lift cap 36 includes a base 38, and extending upwardly therefrom, a bifurcated arm 40. The bifurcated arm 40 has a transverse hole 41 to receive a quick disconnect pin 42.

The rear end of the cable 44 is fitted with an eye 46 through which the pin 42 is passed, and is thus held in position in the bifurcated arm 40 of lift cap 36.

The forward end of cable 44 is connected to a cable pulley indicated generally at 48 in FIGURE 1, and shown specifically in FIGURE 3, in a manner to be hereinafter more particularly described. The pulley 48 is shown in FIGURE 1 as being surrounded by a guard 49.

The cable guide A transom seal plate 50 is fastened to the back side of the transom 12 in a hole 52. The transom seal plate 50 has a cable hole 54 therein. A lift cable guide 56 is fastened to the front side of the transom 12 by means of bolts 58.

The configuration of the lift cable guide 56 is shown in FIGURE 3. This includes a tubular cable passage 60 that seats at the back end in the hole 54 of the transom seal plate 50. Appropriate marine caulking compound is applied as indicated by the reference numeral. 62 for waterproof seal, FIGURE 1.

A flexible boot 64 is held in place on the front portion of the tubular cable passage 60 of the cable guide 56 by means of a spring clamp ring 66. This provides a sliding, waterproof seal around the cable 44 where it passes through the transom 12.

The power mechanism Turning now to FIGURES 4 and 6, a description of the power mechanism will be provided.

A mounting plate 68 is provided with three bolt holes 70 for attachment to the flywheel housing 16 as indicated in FIGURE 4. The location of the mounting plate 68 relative to the engine is shown in FIGURE 1.

The power shaft To the top of the mounting plate 68, there is cast a tubular power shaft housing 72. The housing 72 has annular mounting flanges 74 at each end thereof.

At the left end of the power shaft housing 72, as shown in FIGURE4, there is fastened by means of bolts 76, an annular bearing retainer 78. A suitable bearing, such as the ball bearing illustrated, is mounted into retainer 78.

At the other end of tubular power shaft housing 72, there is also applied by bolts 76, an annular bearing retainer 78. An antifriction bearing such as the ball bearing 80 shown, is suitably mounted into the retainer 78.

The power shaft The power shaft is designated by the reference numeral 82 and is received by the spaced bearings 80 mounted at each end of the tubular power shaft housing 72.

The cable pulley Adjacent to the left hand bearing 80, there is applied over the power shaft 82, an annular spacer 84. Then, the cable pulley 48 is applied, in abutting relationship to the spacer 84. The cable pulley 48 has an annular hub 86, and a lock pin 88 is passed through aligned openings in the hub 86 and shaft 82 to hold the cable pulley 48 in position.

5' a) The drive and of the power shaft 82 As shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, the right hand end of power shaft 82 has a spacer 84 fitted thereover. Adjacent to the spacer 8.4, there is applied an annular chain support collar 90. The collar 90 is provided with a transverse hole 94, having one end threaded as indicated. The transverse hole 94 is in axial alignment with a hole 02 at the right end of shaft 82.

A chain connecting pin 96 is threaded at one end and is passed through the chain support collar 90 and shaft 82 and is threaded in as indicated in FIGURES 4 and 6.

The other end of chain connecting pin 96 is formed as a flattened plate 98 having opposed fiat surfaces 100. As shown in FIGURE 6, one end of a chain 102 straddles the plate end 98 of connecting pin 96 and a bolt 104 secures these two elements together.

The chain 102 wraps the chain support collar 90 and it will be evident that when an appropriate tensile force is applied against the chain 102, shaft 82 willbe rotated. This provides a logical point for discussing the power drive for applying a tensile force to the chain 102, and thus a rotatable force to the power shaft 82.

The power drive As shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, the power drive mechanism is fastened to the right lower end of the mounting plate 68.

A. two-way power cylinder 106. is provided with a bifurcated base 108 that has transverse apertures 110.

A mounting lug 112 extends transversely to mounting plate 68 and is provided with a transverse hole 114, FIG.- URE 4. A pin. 116 is. passed through the transverse holes 110 of bifurcated base 108 and the hole 114, of mounting lug 112 to pivotally mount the lower end of the cylinder 106 to mounting plate 68.

Within the cylinder 106' is a piston 118 that is connected to a piston rod 120 which extends out through a suitable packing in the upper end of cylinder 106. The free end of piston rod 120 is formed as a plate 122 having opposed flat surfaces 124.

As shown in FIGURE 6, the other end of chain 102 straddles the plate end 122 of piston rod 120, and the two units are secured together by a bolt 104.

From the foregoing it will be evident that when appropriate power is applied to the power cylinder 106, the piston rod 120 will be correspondingly driven either outor back into the two-way power cylinder 106 to tension or relax the chain 102 and thereby transmit a rotatable force to the power shaft 82'.

The hydraulic pump lthough the pump, designated 126 in FIGURE 6, can be put at any suitable location, it is preferably put in .close proximity to the power cylinder 106. This simplifies the length of lines, generally simplifies the unit, and makes it more compact. As shown in FIGURE 6, the pump 126 is mounted on the opposite side of mounting plate 68to thepower cylinder 106. The pump 126 includes a base member 128 that has a transversely extending pedestal 130, including a vertically disposed attachment leg 132. Bolts 134' are passed through suitable apertures in the attachment leg 132 and through thelower portion of the mounting plate 68 to support the hydraulic pump'126 in operable position,

The pump 126.includes an electric motor 136-in the upper portion, to which electrical wires are connected as indicated in FIGURE 1.

At the bottom there are two fittings 138 and 140' that are suitably connected to the interior ofthe pump housing and to, which lines, 142 and 144 are respectively coupled. Lines 142 and 144..are not designated intake and exhaust *fromthe pump, because itis a reversible unit and thus, depending upon the directionof'rotation, one or theothen of lines 142v and 144 will be an'intake andexhaust. Line 142 is suitably connected into the bottom of the power cylinder 106 beneath the piston 118 and line 144 is suitably connected into the top above piston 118 as shown in FIGURE 6-.

The wiring for the motor 136 of pump 126 is indicated in FIGURE 1. Thus, a two-way switch 146 is mounted at a suitable location in the boat for access by the operator. Lead lines 148 and 150 are connected to asuitable source of power, such as a 12 volt battery or other as used in, the boat. The two-way wiring comprises three leads 152, 154 and 156, which as indicated in FIGURE 1, are connectedto the motor 136 in the upper part of the pump mechanism 126.

As. indicated in FIGURE 1, pressing the upper part 158 of the control butt-on of the two-way switch 146 will cause pump rotation in amanner to til-t the power leg 26 upwardly. Pressing the down portion 160 of the buttonof the two-way switch 146 will cause a reverse operation of the motor and. cause the power leg 26 to be lowered to the dotted outlined position, or a small amount as desired;

Cable pulley 48 Before describing the operation of the invention, in view of the foregoing control and power features, the cable pulley 48 and its connection to the forward end of cable 44iwillnow -be described in detail.

As shown in FIGURE 5, the cable pulley 48' is open on one sideto permit anchoring the back end of thecable 44. A boss 162 is provided where the V-groove I64 terminates as shown at the left sideof FIGURE 5; The end of the cable 44 is passed over the boss 162' and secured by a clamp.166 that is fastened by bolts 1 68 to the" WEb'I70 of cable? pulley 48. An additional bolt and washer 1-72'.

holds the very end of the cable 44 down against the inside of the peripheral wall 1740f the pulley 48. This provides extra cable for adjustment. Note that the pulley 43 is fiat as along the chord of a circle at 47.

Operation power leg 26 will tilt down from a lifted position to a normal operating position, the solid outline position, or to any intermediate position selected. When the switch 146 is released,- the power leg 26 is stopped in the desired position.

For performing the foregoing lifting, and lowering, reference is now made-to FIGURE 6' for an indication of the hydraulic fluid flow.

Up movement For a lift operation, the up-portion 158 of two-way switch 146 is pressed. This causes the motor 136 of the-pump 126 totturn ina direction to'force-compressed fluid from the fitting 140.: through line 144 andinto the: top of the. power cylinder 1061' Fluid below the piston 118 is exhausted back to-the pump 126 through line 142;and;fitting 138.

This action is effectiveto press-the piston 118 down- Wardly.

Downward movementofi piston 118 causesthepiston rod. 120 i110. move: down, or be retracted J into the power cylinder 106, and as shown in FIGURE 6, is effective to-tensionthegchain' 102: to rotate thepowershaft 82 in a counterclockwise direction.

7 Lookingat FIGURE 5, a clockwise direction 176 is imparted to the cable pulley 48.-

Referring now to FIGURE 1, clockwise direction 176 of cable pulley 43 is effective to shorten the cable 44 and cause a lifting or tilting action of the power leg 26.

Down movement Pushing the down portion 160 of the button of the two-way switch 146 causes the opposite rotation of the motor 136 of the pump 126. This forces fluid out through the fitting 138 and through the line 142 up beneath the piston 118 of the two-way power cylinder 106. Fluid above the piston 118 passes back through line 144 and into the pump 126. This causes the piston rod 120 to be extended from the power cylinder 106 and slacks chain 102 and lets the weight of the power leg 26 of FIGURE 1 rotate the power shaft 82 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIGURE 6. The clockwise direction on the FIGURE 6 end is counterclockwise direction 178 on the FIGURE end of the mechanism.

As shown in FIGURE 1, this will permit the cable 44 to be paid out and the power leg 26 will move downwardly toward or to the solid outline position of FIG- URE 1.

Safety feature The reason the present mechanism is operable not only at the extremes as represented by the solid and dotted outline positions of FIGURE 1, but also at any intermediate position therebetween is twofold:

(1) The intermediate positions permit shallow water low speed trolling; and

(2) The completely raised dotted outline position permits beaching of the boat without damage to the propeller 30.

Relative to the intermediate, shallow water trolling positions, a safety feature is provided. Thus, the piston 118 of the two-way power cylinder 106 is equipped with a relief valve (shown at 107) which will allow the power leg 26 to return from a fully or any intermediate tilted position to normal operating position should the propeller thrust exceed the design setting. As mentioned above, a typical design setting is in the range from about 1,000 to about 1,500 r.p.m. of the propeller 30 to permit slow speed shallow water trolling.

Should the throttle be accidentally moved to a setting exceeding this r.p.m. or should any other malfunction causing such occur, the thrust of the propeller will overcome the setting of the safety relief valve and the power leg will move automatically to the solid outline position of FIGURE 1, placing all of the thrust against the trim pin 32.

In the normal operating position of the power leg 26, as shown by the solid outline of FIGURE 1, the cable 44 is slightly slack; that is, when the drive is trimmed to maximum forward position and the piston rod 120 of power cylinder 106 is extended. This prevents any excessive strain from being applied against the cable 44 or against the power lift mechanism under any circumstances and thus prevents damage to the unit, the cable, or to the power leg 26.

Extended scope of invention The present invention has illustrated a two-way powered cylinder 106 as the prime mover for the raising and lowering of the power leg 26. It will be evident that the extended scope of invention would encompass other power mechanisms, either with or without a safety override feature as has been set forth herein in the form of a safety relief valve contained within the mechanism of the piston 118 of the power cylinder 106.

Cable as used herein is to be construed as a tensile member.

The lift device of the present invention can well be designed into a power trim mechanism. This certainly 8 will be desirable under certain conditions to give the boat operator limited control of the drive units trim angle.

I claim:

1. In a lift mechanism for the power leg of a marine drive, wherein the drive is powered by an inboard engine and the power leg is located outboard of the transom and is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, the power leg being disposed substantially vertically with respect to the transom and is adapated to tilt-up about said horizontal axis upon striking an obstruction while maintaining a continuous drive relation with the inboard engine a support mounted in space in operable relation to said power leg,

a rotatable shaft carried by said support,

means for rotating said shaft,

a tensile element,

means connecting one end of said tensile element to said rotatable shaft,

and means connecting the other end of said tensile element to said power leg,

whereby rotation of said shaft in one direction is effective to shorten said tensile element and tilt said power leg toward a horizontal position; and rotation of said shaft in the opposite direction is effective to lengthen said tensile element and lower said power leg by gravity toward a vertical position, and means in driving relation with said rotatable shaft responsive to the output of the lower leg to control rotation of said shaft.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said tensile element is a flexible tensile element.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said tensile element is a cable.

4. In a tilting mechanism for a marine drive comprising a power leg that is movable about a horizontal axis, and having a propeller and a top,

a support plate mounted in space in operable relationship to said power leg,

a housing at the top of said support plate,

a rotatable power shaft journaled within said housing,

a cable pulley fixed to one end of said rotatable power shaft,

a flexible cable,

means anchoring one end of said flexible cable to said cable pulley,

means connecting the other end of said flexible cable to said top of said power leg,

an annular collar fixed to the other end of said power shaft,

a pin passed through said power shaft and through said annular collar and having an exposed end extending beyond the periphery of said annular collar,

a chain having one end connected to said exposed pin end and lapping said annular collar,

reciprocable, linearly movable power means operably connected to the other end of said chain,

and means for powering said power means.

5. In a tilt mechanism for a marine drive comprising a power leg having a propeller, and the power leg being movable about a horizontal axis, and said power leg having a top,

a support mounted in space in operable relationship to said top of said power leg,

a tubular power shaft housing carried by said support,

a rotatable power shaft journaled within said tubular power shaft housing,

a cable pulley fixed to one end of said rotatable power shaft,

a flexible cable,

means anchoring one end of said flexible cable to said cable pulley to wrap thereon,

means anchoring the other end of said flexible cable to said top of said powerleg,

and power means operably connected to said power 353571393: f to, shaft for rotating. said, shaft in first one direction a eable pulley fixed tonne nd O aidgrotatable shaft, and than the. the a drcw r m ss. being respon- 'fi x b 'e Sive t the Output- Ofi the vPropeller Power leg means anchoring one end of said flexible cable to said to control rotation of said power shaft. able' ull forwra thereon, h invention of Claim w n, ai b r pu l 5 means anchoring the other end of said cable to said comprises a disc-like web having a tubular hub, extend,- ts ta'p ofsai d power leg, ing transversely thereof to fit over said rotatable power and meansbperably connected to said; rotatable shaft, shaft to rotate said shaft in first one direction and an annular cable groove formed integrally with sand then the other, said power means being responsive Web, 10 to the output of the propeller of -the, power leg to and said groove, being, open along a chord ofa circle generated from said'hub as a center and terminating in a rounded boss, H n i and means anchoring said cable one end; to said Web,

control rotation of saidfrotatable shaft. 10. The, invention of claim 9, including a cable passage throughsaidtransom,

a cable guide fastened to, said; transom in, alignment between said tubular hub and said cable groove,

and the cable passing over said base into said groove. 7. In a tilt mechanism for a marine drive comprising with said cable passage, and waterproof seal means around said cable guide and between said cable guide and said cable passage a power leg having a propeller, the power leg being movable about a horizontal axis, and said marine drive having a top,

in said transom, permitting said cable to move axially through said transom in a waterproof manner. 11. In a marine drive for a boat having a transom,

a support positioned in operable relationship to said top of said power leg,

a housing carried by said support,

a rotatable power shaft journaled within said housing,

an outboard power leg operably connected to said output shaft of said engine and including a propeller that is movable below the water line,

said power leg being mounted for pivotal movement an inboard engine mounted to said boat and having a flywheel housing and a power shaft extending from said flywheel housing through said transom to an outboard power leg,

a cable pulley fixed to one end of said rotatable power an Outboard power leg operably connected to Said shaft and havmg a grooved Penphery, power shaft, and including a propeller that is movaflexlble ble below the water line,

means anchoring one end of said flexible cable to said Said power leg being mounted for pivotal movement cable pulleyto ride in said groove, about a horizontal axis, and having a top cap,

means anchoring the other end of said flexible cable a support plate mounted on Said fl h l housing to said top of said power leg, inboard of Said boat an annular collar fixed to the other end of said power a tubular housing carried by said Support plate, and

h extending transversely to the axis of said boat,

a pin passed through said power shaft a sa1d annular a rotatable shaft journaled within said tubular housing, collar and havmg an exposed end extending beyond a cable pulley fixed to one end of said rotatable shaft, the periphery of said annular collar, a fl ibl cable a chain having one end connected to said exposed pin means anchoring one end of Said fl ibl cabhe to end and lappmg saifi annular collar said cable pulley for wrap thereover,

two-Way POWer cyllndel' p y Connected at one means anchoring the other end of said cable to said end to said support, in alignment with said chain 40 top cap of Said powerleg,

annular Fonar, a cable passage through said transom, through which sa1d power cylinder having a reciprocable piston rod, saidcable is Passed,

means connectmg free end of sa1d Plston rod to a cable guide fastened to said transom in alignment the other end of sa1d chain, with Said cable passage a two'way Pump for hydraulic fluid mounfed on said waterproof seal means around said cable guide and supPort and operably connected to sa1d two'way between said cable guide and said cable passage in cyhnder: said transom,

and power means for operating sa1d two-way pump to an annular collar fixed to the other end of said power drive said piston rod of sa1d power cylinder in first shaft, one dlrectlon and then Other' a pin passed through said power shaft and said annular 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said power leg collar and having an exposed end extended beyond is engageable with a fixed stop to absorb the full thrust the periphery of said annular collar, of said propeller, a chain having one end connected to said exposed pin and wherein said two-way pump includes a safety relief end and lapping said annular collar,

valve, a two-way power cylinder pivotally connected at one whereby excessive thrust of said propeller with said end to said support, in alignment with said chain power leg in a partially titled position will overcome and annular collar, the lift potential of said two-way pump and botsaid power cylinder having a reciprocable piston rod, torn said power leg against said fixed stop to premeans connecting the free end of said piston rod to vent undue strain on said tilt mechanism. the other end of said chain,

9. In a marine drive for a boat having a transom, a two-way pump for hydraulic fluid mounted on said an inboard engine mounted in said boat, and having support and operably connected to said two-way a flywheel housing and an output shaft extending power cylinder, from said flywheel housing through said transom and power means for operating said two-way pump to to an outboard power leg, drive said power cylinder in one direction and then the other. 12. The invention of claim 11 wherein said power leg is engageable with a fixed stop to absorb the full thrust of said propeller,

about a horizontal axis, and having a top cap, and wherein said two-way pump includes a safety relief a support plate mounted on said flywheel housing, invalve,

board of said boat, whereby excess thrust of said propeller with said power a housing carried by said support plate and extended leg in a partially tilted condition, will overcome the transversely to the axis of said boat, lifting potential of said pump and bottom said power a rotatable shaft journaled within said housing, leg against said fixed stop to prevent undue strain on said cable, said cable pulley, said power shaft, said chain and said two-way power cylinder.

13. In an inboard-outboard marine drive having an,

engine disposed inboard of a boat hull and an outboard power leg in continuous drive relation with the inboard engine, said power leg being mounted on the boat hull on a horizontal pivot axis permitting said power leg to tilt-up upon striking an obstruction, power operated means associated with said power leg for tilting said power leg upwardly away from the boat transom to selected positions between a normal power leg operating position and a maximum tilt-up position, said power operated means including means responsive to the output of said power leg to control operation of said power operated means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner.

MILTON BUCHLER, Examiner.

T. MAJOR,-Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A LIFT MECHANISM FOR THE POWER LEG OF A MARINE DRIVE, WHEREIN THE DRIVE IS POWERED BY AN INBOARD ENGINE AND THE POWER LEG IS LOCATED OUTBOARD OF THE TRANSOM AND IS MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, THE POWER LEG BEING DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSOM AND IS ADAPTED TO TILT-UP ABOUT SAID HORIZONTAL AXIS UPON STRIKING AN OBSTRUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING A CONTINUOUS DRIVE RELATION WITH THE INBOARD ENGINE A SUPPORT MOUNTED IN SPACE IN OPERABLE RELATION TO SAID POWER LEG, A ROTATABLE SHAFT CARRIED BY SAID SUPPORT, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, A TENSILE ELEMENT, MEANS CONNECTING ONE END OF SAID TENSILE ELEMENT TO SIAD ROTATABLE SHAFT, AND MEANS CONNECTING THE OTHER END OF SAID TENSILE ELEMENT TO SAID POWER LEG, WHEREBY ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT IN ONE DIRECTION IS EFFECTIVE TO SHORTEN SAID TENSILE ELEMENT AND TILT SAID POWER LEG TOWARD A HORIZONTAL POSITION; AND ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IS EFFECTIVE TO LENGTHEN SAID TENSILE ELEMENT AND LOWER AND POWER LEG BY GRAVITY TOWARD A VERTICAL POSITION, AND MEANS IN DRIVING RELATION WITH SAID ROTATABLE SHAFT RESPONSIVE TO THE OUTPUT OF THE LOWER LEG TO CONTROL ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT. 